It’s better to withdraw than fail, writes Eliana Osborn, an adjunct English instructor, on The Two-Year Track. But when and how should an instructor advise a student to take the W?
I hate to tell a student that there is no chance of getting a passing grade. Unfortunately, super-low scores by midway through the semester often mean than even perfection later down the road can’t fix things. Again, I suggest withdrawing. Take what you’ve learned and do better next semester.
Students fear they’ll lose eligibility for financial aid if they don’t take enough credits. But ultimately failure will have the same effect — and ruin their grade point average too.
